Te'o assault claim throws Maroons into turmoil

Phil Lutton, Marissa Calligeros

Queensland's State of Origin preparations were thrown off course on Wednesday as the Ben Te'o saga engulfed the Coolum camp when Katie Lewis, the woman who alleges he assaulted her, took her case to police.

The Maroons shielded Te'o from a media session in the morning at the same time as Lewis began a four-hour interview with detectives in Brisbane, detailing what she alleges was an assault last month at the home of Broncos player Corey Norman.

Lewis had earlier told Nine News that Te'o left her ''laying in the hallway with blood everywhere''. Te'o has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and remained in camp on Wednesday night, training with the Maroons late in the day. Canberra back-rower Josh Papalii remains on standby for Te'o.

In another twist, Lewis was promptly sent to court and fined $2000 and suspended from driving for three years and two months for a DUI offence in February, after which she failed to front court.

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The Maroons stood by their decision to persevere with Te'o until given a directive from the NRL's integrity unit. With that unit still to complete enquiries, it appears a decision on whether he has brought the game into disrepute may not be handed down before next Wednesday's series opener at ANZ Stadium.

Police will need to speak to Te'o in coming days, as well as consult medical evidence, phone records and witnesses, one of which could be Te'o's Maroons teammate Darius Boyd, who was also alleged to be at the residence.

Only after they piece the information together will they decide whether to press charges. Lewis had previously decided not to make a statement to police but subsequently changed her stance.

Selecting Te'o was always a calculated risk for the Maroons, given there was a strong chance the matter could escalate during Origin week. That has proven to be the case, although Queensland captain Cameron Smith insists minds are on the job.

''While that's still continuing, his focus needs to be preparing for next week the same as the rest of us. Hopefully that outcome will be finalised soon and we get the result and we just get on with what we have to do,'' Smith said.

Te'o was door-stopped at Sunshine Coast airport when he arrived and was off-limits to media on Wednesday, along with Boyd. Lewis' visit to police, then court, has ensured the matter has swamped football discussions.

Smith said Raiders wrecking ball Papalii, included in an extended squad, was preparing as if he was going to play, given the uncertainty of Te'o's status. ''Until they hear otherwise, they need to prepare as if they are taking the field on Wednesday night,'' Smith said.

To add to the uncertainty for coach Mal Meninga, Johnathan Thurston's partner is expecting a baby any day and Boyd remains in doubt with an ankle injury.

In court, Lewis apologised for failing to turn up at her earlier court date, which came after she was found with a blood alcohol level of between 0.1 and 0.15.

''I know that I have made a bad decision and that's why I'm pleading guilty,'' Lewis said. ''I know there was a previous court date which I could not attend due to other matters.''

Meanwhile, Meninga has warned the best is yet to come from superstar Greg Inglis, State of Origin's leading try-scorer.

Inglis has been a dominant figure in the Maroons' seven straight Origin series wins since his debut in 2006. And Meninga says that, at 26, Inglis is just coming into his prime and has become a powerful team motivator.

''I think he can get better. With maturity and experience you get to understand yourself better,'' Meninga said. ''You learn and understand where your strengths lie and your weaknesses are and how you handle adversity.''

with AAP

13 comments so far

isn't teo a kiwi his parents still live in new zealand. for that matter isn't papali one also. i suppose at least they're not nsw born and bred like inglis. lucky queensland can pick from all over the world. or there might not be able to field a competitive side. which would then show up mals true coaching prowess.

Commenter

goo

Location

cwnsw

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 8:02AM

Well - it just goes to show that Queensland is the land of the brave and the smart Goo.

Commenter

Olga

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 9:48AM

Right on goo. Of course, best not to mention James Tamou or Akuila Uate or the like.

Commenter

Novas

Location

Canberra

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 10:03AM

Turmoil? Turmoil? where did that come from one guy in the best state of origin team in history and its devastation. Drop him from the team now it wont make any difference to the result .. another flogging for NSW..Inglis is a Queenslander no matter what lies you guys want to make up.. if it makes you feel better and stops the tears.

Commenter

axle60610

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 10:27AM

Sooo what about James Tamou? Your just another nsw hypocrit. Oh and hayne and uate for that matter

Commenter

Tommydagunn

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 10:57AM

i didn't know Palmerston North was in NSW??? oh, my bad.

Commenter

simz

Location

sydney

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 1:16PM

How's that James Tamou going you prize pillock???

Commenter

Manon DeEdge

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 6:51PM

Yep couldn't agree more with you mate. By the way, do you reckon you could drive by the Blues hotel and drop off the words to the Australian national anthem to Aussie Jim Tamou?

Commenter

Oog

Location

wsnwc

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 9:56AM

Queensland will find another player from NSW or NZ. Obviously they can't win without stealing everyone else's players.The girl's story about Te'o just sounds made up. She has put his head on the chopping block when the police obviously had nothing to investigate on the day that it happened. She's just after money like most of the twits who attack league players.